Christmas Concert / Movie Premiere

We premiered our movie today during the school Christmas carolling assembly.  We showed it in front of the entire school and invited all of the parents of our students.  It was very well received.  All of our students had a part in the film.  The two most verbal students narrated the film while the rest acted out the story.  The parents were very excited to see their children in this context.  We had rave reviews from the other teachers in the school and many requests for more films.  The kids worked hard on it and had a lot of fun.  It really helped build understanding and understanding with the rest of the school. 

The rest of the day was devoted to Christmas crafts and parties.  We were totally off routine, but it worked out really well.  As one of the Aides said "it was crazy but good".   We've been working on flexibility and acceptance of change.  Overall it was a great day and lots of fun. 

Sharing assembly

The grade one classes hosted a sharing assembly yesterday.  Our classes had the opportunity to present a short introductory movie about our students.  We focussed on what made our students similar to the rest of the school.  The first section was things we liked at school (computers, trips, gym, assemblies).  The second section was about how we learn (by reading, writing, watching, doing, touching; alone, with help, with friends). The last section was about sensory needs.  It was very well received.  While it was playing, all students watched intently and many glanced over at our classes.  I've sent a link to the other teachers so that they can show the movie again in their classes to generate some discussion. 

Gingerbread Man

We started filming our version of the Gingerbread Man today.   All of our students have a part - some are narrating, some are acting out the parts and one is singing the Gingerbread Man's song.  We did the Kitchen scenes today.  The boy who plays the little boy who makes the Gingerbread Man had an especially good time with his part.  He really hammed it up.  He was so excited.  Tomorrow we hope to do some of the outdoor filming as the Gingerbread Man runs away from the animals.  We've moved the setting so that the GM runs away from forest animals such as squirrels, moose and bears.  We hope to have it ready for the school Christmas concert.

First day back

Today was the first day back with students.  All went smooth.  We had a few minor emotional times with some crying, but nothing major.  Everyone listened well, sat well for deskwork and group times and lined up with minimal prompting.  As a teaching team we are working hard at bringing our classes closer together.  We have been discussing lots of cool activities and trips for the coming school year.

New school - same program

I spent the last three days getting my new classroom ready and meeting with the other teachers at my new school.  All three of us teachers in our program are new to the school.  The other two are essentially first year teachers.  Our students come on Tuesday morning to start the new school year.  It looks like it will be an exciting year of learning and teaching for staff as well as the students.  I'm really looking forward to it.

Pizza!

We had our end of the year pizza party today.  We invited parents, grandparents, siblings, etc. to join us for a pizza lunch.  We had quite a crowd in our lunch room.  It was fun to see the kids with their families.  Everyone was so well behaved and really enjoyed the pizza.

End of the Year

Alas we are just about at the end of another school year.  This will be my last at my current school.  In September, I will be at another school in the same school district.  I will also still be in the same program, but a lot closer to home (a 15 minute commute rather than 45 minutes to an hour each way).  I  have been in my current position for just over 6 years.  We have come a long way with the kids and the other staff at the school.  When I started, the other kids and some of the staff would cringe when the saw us coming - now they stand up proud and say HI.  When I started here we only attended some assemblies and only had bit parts - now we attend all of them and we also take our turn to share in the hosting.  This past year we went on two whole school field trips - to a sporting event and to a musical play.  It's been fun becoming more and more a part of the whole school community rather than just the strange kids at the end of the hall.  I look forward to working with a new group of kids and staff at my new school across town.